Club Obi Wan

I was just interested what the preferences were as far as jacket material goes...tell me what you prefer, and if anyone could give me the advantages and disadvantages of the different hides used for the Wested Jacket whether it be Auth. Lambskin, Horsehide, Goatskin, Cowhide, etc. that'd be great.

I am especially interested in the Horsehide, but I'm just not sure about the comfort or look. If anyone has pictures of any examples of these differences, please post them! I am thinking about a horsehide ROLA 80's cut, but just wanted to do my homework! Thanks in advance fellas!
-Zack

I like cowhide. I have had a lambskin and I ripped it . In fairness, I have not handled the other hides but I have always gravitated to Cowhide, it is always a tough leather. I do hear good things about Horse Hide. I am sure others will chime in.

nicetrylaoche wrote: f anyone has pictures of any examples of these differences, please post them! I
-Zack

This is the distressed cowhide.

Love the goat. I've got the old stuff from around 2002. It's a lovely strong material. Cow is good but boring to me since every second jacket over here is made of cowhide. It is extremely rare to see goat (or HH) over here. Mine is not all that light however. It's not a jacket you can wear in summer. I tneeds to be no warmer than 20 degrees. Whatever that is in American measures. The last few days here have been around 40 degrees.

Cheers - CM

Man, that jacket looks alot darker than my pre-distressed cowhide Wested from 2000. Is it a different leather now from what they had back then?

Weston

Weston wrote:Man, that jacket looks alot darker than my pre-distressed cowhide Wested from 2000. Is it a different leather now from what they had back then?

Weston

I don't know--I'm kind of new to the game. I understand mine is "novapelle" which Peter has said he sources from South America, so it may be. If I Pecard it, it gets even darker for a few days.



I don't know hot it rates on the "authentic" meter but I love it and have virtually lived in it for the past couple of moths.

I really love my Horsehide Wested - it's the toughest leather I experienced so far but it drapes just fine. And it got a nice finish much faster than the Goatskin I owned before.

Since you asked for pictures, I could just point you to some photos from the latest album, I already posted in the "Scrapbook Section":

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb11 ... 08_143.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb11 ... 08_149.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb11 ... 08_191.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb11 ... 08_077.jpg

I voted for the Horse also. I just got the Horse in the 80's cut and could not be more happy with the leather. As Jens said it's tough and the finish is excellent. Next to my Wested Lamb which is 6 years old it really looks the part. The Lamb still has the sheen to it even after daily wear. I can best describe it as the Lamb looks more like a wear out to dinner jacket, while you would feel better dumping on a motorcylcle wearing the horse. The horse is a little stiff as some have said before, but is in no way uncomfortable.
Ben

My first Wested was Cow distressed, liked it but a little heavey.
Second was Goat which I love, it's my primary jacket. Goat is strong, you don't have to worry about it tearing like Lamb can (if your not careful).
My third is a Lamb from Todds and I must admit I baby it. It's distressing naturaly.

If yopu have a concern about durability Gaot & Horse are the best choices.

Croft

pre distressed cowhide

If your asking me a question on pre-distressed cow hide, the answer is yes. I bought this Wested before I even found COW, I naturaly wanted that distressed look. I sold it to another member. Here's a pic.
[img][img]http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z145 ... tfront.jpg[/img][/img]

This my Goat when it was brand new, I've given some distressing since, but it's tough stuff.

[img][img]http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z145 ... jacket.jpg[/img][/img]

Croft

How well does the Wested goatskin distress (naturally)? Does anyone have any pics of a naturally distressed goatskin?

Well I've been off again on again distressing my goat and it really doesn't show that much, it's more subtle. I've read post's were they say goat takes forever to naturaluy distress (thats why it needs help )

Croft

yes thats true...I just recentley got a goat and let me just say you this...it's bulletproof...

I am not thinking of fake distress it but just for fun I tried a little distressing on the leather facings...it almost did not show anything....I mean compared to my lamb this is one strong jacket....the lamb is tuff though but the goat is a chain mail.....

everybody......if you want a looooong lasting jacket go for the goat!

best
Holt

I'm pretty happy with my lambskin. I don't know how tough it is. I do care about durability, but screen accuracy is more important with the jacket. I don't plan on abusing it really. I'm not the kind of guy that wears his gear on adventures. I love what little gear I have too much to do that to it. I already feel terrible about the hole I wore in the bottom of my MKVII.

My only experience is with lambskin, but if you want more durability then I'm sure goatskin or horsehide would be better.

nicetrylaoche wrote:I was just interested what the preferences were as far as jacket material goes...tell me what you prefer, and if anyone could give me the advantages and disadvantages of the different hides used for the Wested Jacket whether it be Auth. Lambskin, Horsehide, Goatskin, Cowhide, etc. that'd be great.

I am especially interested in the Horsehide, but I'm just not sure about the comfort or look. If anyone has pictures of any examples of these differences, please post them! I am thinking about a horsehide ROLA 80's cut, but just wanted to do my homework! Thanks in advance fellas!
-Zack

Man that's a tough question. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these choices. I guess for the raiders jacket look I'd go with the authentic lamb. It's lightweight, luxurious, and seems to distress well. It's certainly not as bullet proof as HH or CH but certainly it's suitable for regular wear and with proper care should last a good long time. What I like about the lamb is that it is lightweight and comfortable while maintaining a tough persona. I think the goat is pretty close to the lamb but just a bit tougher.

I was thinking about getting a horsehide for my second jacket but I have concerns on how it will distress. I like a leather jacket that shows a bit of character and I have concerns about the horsehide being a bit too strong to distress easily. I have a non-Indy cowhide jacket and it's the thickness and weight make it durable but at the same time it really shows the wear. The weight and stiffness of the cowhide make it a bad choice for an every day jacket for me but I find it well suited for more rugged situations. I really like the look of the novapelle cowhide. It seems to look a lot like the new Indy jacket, which makes it intriguing to me. I think I'll go with it for a second Indy jacket.

To sum up:
Comfort and looks- Authentic Lambskin
[Recommended for more urban type adventurers]

Strength- Horsehide
[Recommended for the real Indiana Jones]

Strength and looks- Cowhide
[Recommended for those wanting the jacket that looks and feels the part]

Very balanced between comfort, looks, and strength- Goat
[Recommended for those wanting a slightly more durable jacket]

All great stuff fellas...thanks for all your input! Just out of curiosity, does anyone have a HH with any sort of distressing to it??? I'm just especially curious about the HH, because I'm pretty active as far as the outdoors are concerned (I'm in Montana at the moment) and I want, as gladd96 said, "a jacket with a bit of character," but I'm also concerned with toughness and comfort..I'd love to see any pics guys and gals!
-Zack